ARCHIVES OF LEAD STORIES
August 4, 2005
Frank Morris, pioneer in state government, artist, lawyer
Frank W. Morris Jr. passed away on July 25 after
a long illness. Mr. Morris inspired many to live fully with hope,
courage and faith as the guiding principles of life.
Mr. Morris was born in Philadelphia, PA in 1918. As a young teenager,
Frank developed a keen interest in the visual arts and honed his
artistic skills by sketching portraits of people in the ‘30s.
Frank was awarded a scholarship to the Philadelphia Museum School
of Art, where he received his diploma in ‘37. Frank received
his bachelor’s in education from Temple University in 1941.
He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and attained the position
of captain.
In 1946, Frank moved to Boston where he continued his education
and started his family. He attended the Harvard Graduate School
of Design and then received a master’s in fine arts from
Boston University in 1948. Frank continued on to receive a L.L.B.
degree from Suffolk University School of Law in 1957 and was subsequently
admitted to the Massachusetts Bar.
In 1948, Frank began his professional career with the Commonwealth;
a career that spanned 38 years. He was the first African American
employee of the State Housing Board and by the ‘50s he was
promoted to chief of development and in 1959 Gov. Foster Furcolo
appointed him as director. This appointment made him the first
African American senior manager of a state agency.
Frank was appointed as chief counsel of the Department of Communities
and Development by then-Gov. Michael Dukakis in 1977. By the ‘80s
Frank was also serving as special counsel to the Secretary of
the Executive Office of Communities and Development until his
retirement in 1986. Throughout his career, Frank received numerous
professional recognitions and awards.
In addition to his legal career, Frank was known as one of Boston’s
popular artists whose paintings were exhibited frequently in Boston
and Martha’s Vineyard. His artwork received many awards,
including exhibits at the New England School of Art & Design,
the annual All-Island Art Show in Martha’s Vineyard and
the Art-in-the-Park programs at Copely Square and Monroe Park
in Roxbury.
Mr. Morris was a staunch supporter of civic organizations that
serve Boston’s African American community. He served as
a board member of the Dimock Community Health Center, Freedom
House of Roxbury and United South End Settlements. He was a lifetime
member of the Massachusetts National Association of Housing &
Redevelopment Officials and the NAACP. He also worked closely
with the Boys Club of Boston, the Commonwealth Housing Corp. and
other civic organizations. Frank was an active member of Twelfth
Baptist Church in Roxbury, The Guardsmen and the Alpha Phi Alpha
fraternity.
Donations in his memory can be made to Twelfth Baptist Church,
c/o Children’s Art Program, 160 Warren St., Roxbury 02119.
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